Flu shots, including H1N1, arriving soon at or near LAX

With summer now officially over, flu season is right around the corner. Again, as has been the case in recent years, airports are among the places where people are rolling up their sleeves for their shots.

Due to concerns about the potential severity of the coming flu season, some airport clinics started offering the inoculations around Labor Day, USA Today reported.

Because of delays in the production of the regular flu vaccine, Reliant Immediate Care Medical Group, at the LAX Airport Clinic, does not yet have its vaccines in stock, according to Gene Howell, the group’s executive director. But it will soon.

Howell said he expects his supplies to be in later this week. As was the case last year, travelers interested in the vaccine can take a courtesy shuttle from any LAX terminal to the clinic, located near the airport on Sepulveda Boulevard at West 96th Street. The first aid office (number below) can arrange a pickup. The clinic also offers free on-site parking.

And stay tuned, because an effort is being made to provide shots at the airport itself this season. “LAWA (Los Angeles World Airports) has contracted with a company to provide flu vaccinations in the terminals during the flu season,” said Katherine Alvarado, a spokesperson for LAX. Specific locations are being worked out, she added.

And what about the swine flu? Through the Reliant Immediate Care services, you’ll be able to get the H1N1 vaccine too. Howell said he expected Reliant’s shipment to arrive two weeks into October, and he believes there will be a demand for it.

“I really think that’s what travelers are going to want to be vaccinated against,” he said.

Once available, the regular flu shot will cost $25. The cost of the H1N1 vaccination was yet to be confirmed, Howell said.

Among other U.S. airports offering at least the regular flu shots this year is San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

Contact: Reliant Immediate Care, (310) 215-6020; first aid office at Tom Bradley International Terminal, (310) 215-6000

— Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

Photo: At many U.S. airports, you can get your shot between flights. Credit: Associated Press

Related stories:
With fewer flights, airlines’ customer service improves
Some airports to offer flu shots

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This entry was posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 at 5:32 pm by Susan Derby and is filed under Airline travel, Business Travel, California, Healthy Traveler, Islands & Beaches, Los Angeles, News, Tips & Advice, Weekend Getaways. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.